U.S. companies are showing significant interest in Democratic Republic of Congo mining assets, including the rebel-held Rubaya area, a State Department official said in Johannesburg.
Investments in these assets must align with Washington-led peace efforts in eastern Congo, where conflict continues to rage and destabilise mining regions.
Earlier this year, Congo submitted a shortlist of strategic mineral assets to Washington for potential U.S. investor consideration under a partnership framework.
The United States aims to convert peace and investment deals into influence over Congo’s critical minerals supply chain and global markets.
Washington has stepped up global efforts to secure critical mineral stockpiles, reducing reliance on China’s dominance in Africa’s resource sector.
The United States is soliciting private sector feedback on the asset list, the official told Reuters, while companies show growing but cautious interest.
The official said interest is significant but declined to name companies, noting discussions remain early, still taking shape and progressing quietly.
Congo’s list includes the Rubaya coltan mine, one of the world’s richest tantalum deposits in the eastern conflict-hit region controlled by rebels.
Rubaya remains of strong interest to U.S. companies as talks progress around accessing critical tantalum resources for industry needs.
Rubaya could provide access to tantalum used in electronics, aerospace components, and advanced nuclear and defence technologies worldwide systems applications.
Investments must run alongside U.S.-brokered peace efforts in eastern Congo, where violence has killed thousands and displaced communities widely families.
M23 rebels reject the U.S.–Congo partnership, calling it flawed and unconstitutional, accusing Kinshasa of using the United States to regain Rubaya militarily control.
Virtus Minerals is working to restart Chemaf cobalt and copper mines, marking the first acquisition under the U.S.–Congo minerals partnership deal.
The official said the project builds confidence for U.S. investors, though companies remain concerned about fiscal, tax, regulatory stability environment conditions.